t-bird front shock swap... Shock or strut upper mount?

[purpony]

Ordering the last pieces needed for my t-bird suspension swap and not sure what to order for the front upper mount....

the few websites i looked at (rockauto and auto parts network)... both list a front upper "strut mount" and also a "shock mount" for a 97 V8 T-bird

they looks close to the same in the pictures, just different brands......

Since im using a shock, should i order the "shock mount"? or is the shock mount and strut mount one in the same.....

did any t-bird ever come with a strut?

thanks

 

[thaywood]

Ordering the last pieces needed for my t-bird suspension swap and not sure what to order for the front upper mount....

the few websites i looked at (rockauto and auto parts network)... both list a front upper "strut mount" and also a "shock mount" for a 97 V8 T-bird

For some reason, some parts companies can't tell the difference between a strut and an SLA suspension Some companies get it right while others still call it a strut for some unknown reason. They should be the same. The '97 T-Bird didn't have struts.

they looks close to the same in the pictures, just different brands......

They should be the same thing.

Since im using a shock, should i order the "shock mount"? or is the shock mount and strut mount one in the same.....

If it's listed for a '97 T-Bird, they should be the same. They just don't always get their nomenclature right

did any t-bird ever come with a strut?

thanks

Yes. The 1980-1988 T-Birds were based on the Fox chassis and had McPherson struts up front. From '89-'97 they switched to the MN12 platform with upper and lower control arms with coil-over shocks.

 

[KStromberg]

For front upper mounts I went with KYB part# SM5187

 

[purpony]

thanks for the replys- thats what i thought....

I was going to order the KYB ones and then noticed they also have the Gabriel and Mevotech ones that are half the price of the KYBs

The Mevotech are listed under the "shock mount"

and the KYB, Gabriel, and others are listed under"sturt mount"

thats why i posted this.

Im guessing the Mevotech and KYBs have got to be similar... its just a simple mount...

 

[keVIIIn]

It's funny you asked this question because I just opened the box for my tokico lowering kit which consists of shocks front and rear and springs..figured it would have come with upper shock mounts but it did not. What's the difference between all of these brands listed..all it is is a piece of rubber with a piece of steel in between by the looks of it. Would a basic auto zone, pep boys etc. brand suffice? Also how about rear upper shock mounts, I've heard the original mark viii mounts suck, any recommendations on what to replace them with if mine are worn?

 

[thaywood]

It's funny you asked this question because I just opened the box for my tokico lowering kit which consists of shocks front and rear and springs..figured it would have come with upper shock mounts but it did not. What's the difference between all of these brands listed..all it is is a piece of rubber with a piece of steel in between by the looks of it. Would a basic auto zone, pep boys etc. brand suffice? Also how about rear upper shock mounts, I've heard the original mark viii mounts suck, any recommendations on what to replace them with if mine are worn?

There are plenty of threads on here about the rear upper shock mounts. Just take the originals out and burn out the rubber and use the bushings from whatever shocks you bought to go back in. I used a set of heavy duty Gabriel GasRyder shocks for a '69 Galaxie on mine. Got 'em for $6 each on fleabay brand new in the box. Changed the whole attitude of the car.

 

[purpony]

for the rears i just used the factory mount. I didnt have to burn anything out. If i remember correctly i used all the factory upper bushing and it all went together fine.

ya, the fronts are just a stamped piece of steel with 3 studs and some rubber.. thats why i was asking as well... why spend $38 each on one that can be had for $15 each.... I looked at autozone and they want $30 each as well....

 

[DLF]

Don't get too cheap. I've used the KYB parts with success.

 

[thaywood]

for the rears i just used the factory mount. I didnt have to burn anything out. If i remember correctly i used all the factory upper bushing and it all went together fine.

Yours must have been in pretty good shape then. When I replaced mine, the bushings were dry rotted and basically crumbling to pieces. I had no choice but to scrape the bigger chunks out and then melt out what was left.